Over 20 percent of Kenyans rely on unimproved water sources, such as ponds, shallow wells, streams, and rivers, while another 41 percent lack access to basic sanitation solutions. These challenges are especially evident in rural areas where people are often unable to connect to piped water infrastructure. Now, more than ever, access to safe water is critical to the health of families in the country. The impact of deforestation on the other hand has caused acute and chronic threats to agro-based livelihoods and led to the destruction of fragile ecosystems. The national and county governments have been encouraging NGOs and local communities to restore the environment by planting native trees. This has been pushed through the National Tree Planting Campaign (NTPC) Project, which is an initiative that was conceived to implement the Presidential directive and “National Strategy for achieving and maintaining over 10% tree cover by 2022. Kenya is one of the least forested countries in Africa, with only 7% tree cover. That equates to just 70 trees per person, compared to the global average of 400. Agricultural expansion, timber harvesting, and charcoal burning have led to massive deforestation. Integrated Development Africa Programme (IDAP) is currently involved in pilot projects on rainwater harvesting in many primary schools in the rural areas of Siaya district like Anduro, Pap Boro, Mulaha, Liganwa and Awelo primary schools. The project is simply about a collection of techniques used to accumulate rainwater. Other than provision of clean drinking and washing water, rainwater harvesting reduces the flood potential downstream and the water pollution, increases the groundwater availability, and ensures the constant stream flow in small channels. The rainwater harvesting involves collection of the precipitation from the roof of a building and other surface areas which, is either stored for later use or recharged to the ground aquifers. The water needs to be directed from roof through gutters and conduits to a storage facility or other means of ground water recharge medium. Through this simple technique one can meet all or at least a substantial amount of one’s needs from the free gift of nature. Rainwater is naturally soft and readily usable for many purposes. Harvested rainwater can be used for potable purpose with a simple filtering process. Rainwater harvesting has a strong environmental benefits that justify implementing such a system. By re-using rainwater, the demand is reduced on the regions already scarce water resources: The rainwater harvesting reduces the volume and velocity of runoff generated in specific areas. Reduction of runoff volume and velocity reduces the potential for floods downstream and reduced amount and velocity of runoff reduces the amount of pollutants from impervious surfaces to enter in the downstream water-bodies. Environmental pollution on the other hand can take many forms. The air we breathe, the water we drink, the ground where we grow our food, and even the increasing noise we hear every day—all contribute to health problems and a lower quality of life. IDAP has been striving to find out more about the environment issues of pollution, what’s being done on a global level, and what we can do in our community. Litter for example is more than an eyesore on city streets and alongside highways. Litter pollutes waterways and leaches toxic chemicals into soil and groundwater as it breaks down. Most litter begins with a careless or thoughtless act by a single person who tosses away a cigarette butt or an empty soda can, which means there is a lot you can do to prevent litter. By conducting education Programmes and various campaigns about the environment, IDAP has achieved a lot in terms of promotion of awareness in rural areas. Ground water pollution and surface-water pollution is ranked as the top two concerns in the areas where IDAP has some of its Programmes, followed by pesticide misuse and soil erosion. Groundwater and surface water are traditionally concerns of rural communities, as these communities are almost exclusively served by well water. Pesticides and soil erosion are logical second-tier rankings. Agriculture, the primary activity in rural areas, involves the use of pesticides. Soil erosion, particularly in difficult planting and growing years, also can adversely affect environmental quality through water pollution as well as air pollution via wind borne particles. IDAP has been on the ground promoting best practices. It is important to note that many water resources in Kenya are today under pressure from agricultural chemicals and urban and industrial wastes, as well as from use for hydroelectric power. Kenya expects a shortage of water to pose a problem in the coming years. Water-quality problems in lakes, including water hyacinth infestation in Lake Victoria, have contributed to a substantial decline in fishing output and endangered fish species. Water Hyacinth affects the Lake Victorian population in many negative ways. There are economic impacts when the weed blocks boat access. The effects on transportation and fishing are immediately felt. Where the weed is prolific, there is a general increase in several diseases, as the weed creates excellent breeding areas for mosquitoes and other insects. There are increased incidents of skin rash, cough, malaria, encephalitis, bilharzias, gastro intestinal disorders, and schistosomiasis. Water hyacinth also interferes with water treatment, irrigation, and water supply. It can smother aquatic life by deoxygenating the water, and it reduces nutrients for young fish in sheltered bays. It has blocked supply intakes for the hydroelectric plant, interrupting electrical power for entire cities. The weed also interrupts local subsistence fishing, blocking access to the beaches. IDAP is now working with some of the communities around the lake to see how best we can provide solutions to some of these problems.